(SAINT JOHN, NB) In a must-win game, the UNB REDS came up just short.
The REDS played to a 1-1 draw with the Mount Allison Mounties on Friday night, at the REDS' home away from home, the Canada Games Stadium, at UNB Saint John.
The result eliminates UNB from the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.
"Our last three weeks have been playoff games for us, so we knew what was on the line tonight," said REDS fullback Olivia Rowinski (Fredericton, NB). "But I don't think that we didn't leave everything on the field."
The REDS were ready from the opening whistle.
About 20 minutes in, REDS' striker Madison Goertz (Saskatoon, SK) had a chance from about 20-yards out, but sent her shot wide of the Mounties' net.
The REDS broke through the Mounties' defence in the 35th minute when Olivia Crowe (Fall River, NS) found a loose ball in the box and tapped it past Mount Allison's keeper, Sophie Austin (Kanata, ON). Rowinski was able to head the ball into the box, just prior to Crowe's goal, off a long cross, a play the seemed to create trouble for Austin.
UNB went right back to work in the second half.
Aurora Hughes-Goyette (Squamish, BC) sent a hard kick off the crossbar less than three minutes in.
A short time later, Shawne Comeau (Fredericton, NB) followed with another shot that was controlled by Austin.
The Mounties came close in the 59th minute when Kathryn Perry (Riverview, NB) snuck behind the REDS back line and put a shot on a diving Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK), who made the save.
About five minutes later, Nash came out to challenge a Mount Allison push and took down the attacker.
Bailey Hatcher (Halifax, NS) converted the ensuing penalty to tie the score.
Mount Allison would defend vigorously through the remainder of the game.
The REDS would come close on a couple of scoring chances, but could not find a go-ahead goal.
"As disappointing as it is, I think we are definitely proud of each other and of our personal growth and team growth," said Rowinski, named Subway Player of the Game.
The single point clinches a playoff berth for the Mounties.
"Pure relief, it feels so good to know that all the hard work we've put in all season is paying off in the best way possible," said Mounties' captain Nicole Doncaster (Charlottetown, PE). "We weren't expecting this at all at the beginning of the season and it's amazing to be able to make the playoffs."
A win would've put UNB into the playoffs.
"It's very disappointing and it would've been incredibly exciting, because half of these girls have never been to an AUS Championship, so it would've been great, especially for our senior girls who've worked so hard the last five or six years, contributing to the success of our team," said Rowinski. "I really wish we could've gotten them there."
Ahead of the game, the REDS recognized four graduating student-athletes.
Nash, Goertz, Jesse Bellamy and Paige Wilson are all leaving the program upon graduation, next spring.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Kevin Barrett/for UNB Athletics